The Mount Vernon Utilities Commission is set to deliberate on potential amendments to the city's Staggered Water and Wastewater Fee Waiver for Housing Developers policy. The proposed changes would mandate immediate payment of all deferred fees if a developer fails to comply with any aspect of the policy.
According to the Utilities Commission's agenda packet for its December 5 meeting, commissioners will examine the current policy regarding staggered water and wastewater fees for housing developers, specifically focusing on the fee waiver component. The agenda outlines that the policy aims to offer developers a cost-effective strategy for managing these fees. It facilitates the installation and activation of water taps based on unit occupancy, thereby promoting development and supporting sustainable growth in areas served by city utilities.
The draft policy included in the agenda packet states that it allows housing developers to pay initial water and wastewater fees while deferring capacity fees during the early stages of development. This is achieved by permitting water tap installations that align with each unit's occupancy within a development. The policy's objective is to lower upfront costs for developers, encouraging residential expansion while ensuring effective utility management.
The draft further indicates that non-compliance with any part of the policy would lead to suspension of a developer's staggered activation privilege, along with other penalties as per Utility Rules and Regulation and City Code. Should an agreement with a developer be terminated, all deferred water and wastewater fees would become immediately payable.
Additionally, the draft specifies that developers must obtain written approval from the Safety-Service director, contingent upon recommendations from both the Engineering and Utilities Departments. Upon reviewing these recommendations, if approved, the Safety-Service director will grant written permission for developers to proceed with staggered water tap installation and activation.
